Several crop-protection embankments in Madhyanagar upazila of Sunamganj have collapsed following continuous rainfall, submerging large areas of farmland. On Saturday morning, an embankment of the Guraduba subproject in Boala Haor broke, after similar incidents earlier in the week at Kailani, Jamgara canal, and Jinarya Haor. Rising water levels in the Someshwari River intensified pressure on local embankments, causing breaches near a madrasa that began to collapse as water rushed in. Local farmers reported severe crop losses, with many unable to harvest their paddy in time. Some alleged irregularities in embankment construction and demanded investigations against responsible officials. According to the local agriculture office, of 13,470 hectares of farmland in Madhyanagar, about 10,000 hectares have been harvested, while 13 percent was already waterlogged. The latest breaches have damaged around 31 hectares of paddy fields. Officials from the Water Development Board and the upazila administration said efforts were underway to protect remaining structures and assess the extent of damage.

The 2026–2027 executive committee election of the Dhaka Lawyers Association has been declared unacceptable by Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Lawyers Council, due to alleged irregularities and fake voting. In a statement issued on Saturday, he claimed that inconsistencies in forming the election commission allowed fraudulent votes and booth tampering. Several voters reportedly found their votes already cast when they arrived to vote. Akand stated that irregularities and bias occurred at every stage of the election process. He explained that traditionally, the election commission is formed with equal representation from two panels, but this time the BNP-backed Blue Panel had 90 members while the Lawyers Unity Council’s Green Panel had only 41. Written and verbal appeals to the Bar Council and the chief election commissioner allegedly went unanswered, giving the Blue Panel a numerical advantage. Following the vote count, the BNP and Gano Adhikar Parishad-backed Blue Panel won all 23 posts. Akand reiterated that the election was neither fair nor credible and urged vigilance against those undermining democratic processes.

Iran has executed two men convicted of spying for Israel and its intelligence agency, Mossad. The executions of Yakub Karimpour and Naser Bakorzadeh were carried out on Saturday, according to Iranian authorities. Both were found guilty of collaborating with Israel and passing sensitive information to Mossad. According to the report, Bakorzadeh was accused of collecting details about government and religious figures as well as key locations, including the Natanz area. Karimpour was charged with transferring classified information to a Mossad officer. The executions come amid a broader crackdown in which Iran has recently executed several individuals linked to the January protests. The report, citing Reuters, did not provide further details about the trial process or the timing of the arrests, leaving aspects of the case undisclosed.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on party supporters not to open shops or organizations using the name of Zia Parishad. Speaking at a discussion at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka on Saturday, May 2, he said the BNP already has many affiliated and associate bodies and does not need another. He expressed disappointment that some people were using the Zia Parishad name for personal benefit. Fakhrul emphasized the need for a research institution dedicated to the works of Ziaur Rahman, noting that the Zia Parishad had already published several books under his encouragement. He urged the group to focus on research activities instead of commercial ventures. He also criticized the culture of lobbying in Bangladesh, saying that merit and intelligence should be the basis for advancement. The BNP secretary general further commented on ongoing debates over the July Charter and the constitution, stating that while discussions are healthy, they should not be used for political interests. He reiterated that his party had expressed dissent on several points and did not agree on all constitutional reform issues.

U.S. low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has announced the closure of its operations after a White House rescue proposal failed. The company said in a statement early Saturday that rising oil prices and other pressures had significantly affected its future prospects. All flights have been canceled, and passengers were advised not to go to airports. The airline cited the global oil price surge and fuel shortages following the outbreak of the Iran war as key reasons for its financial collapse. The sharp increase in jet fuel costs led Spirit to bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years. The company stated that with no additional funding available, winding down operations was its only option. The Trump administration had proposed a $500 million rescue plan that would have given the government a major ownership stake in the airline, but the plan faced criticism and ultimately failed.

Online registration for students studying in the eighth grade has officially begun, according to an emergency notice from the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. The process, including fee submission and online data entry, will continue from Saturday until May 25. Registration must be completed through the eSIF system, and only students who passed the seventh-grade annual exam in 2025 and were registered in the sixth grade in 2024 are eligible. The age limit is set between 11 and 17 years as of January 1 of the exam year, with a relaxation up to 22 years for students with special needs. Only students enrolled in board-approved institutions can register through their schools. Unapproved institutions must complete registration through nearby recognized schools. Institutions must log in to the board’s website using their EIIN and password, pay the fixed fee through Sonali Seba, and fill out student information online after payment clearance. Each institution must form a three-member registration committee to verify and submit student data. The registration fee is set at 206 taka per student, rising to 256 taka with a late fee. Schools are prohibited from charging any additional amount beyond the fixed fee.

Iran’s armed forces have warned of a strong possibility of renewed conflict with the United States and Israel, according to a statement reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency on May 2, 2026. The military cited evidence that Washington is not committed to honoring agreements or international treaties as the basis for its concern. Deputy Chief of Staff Mohammad Jafar Asadi said that current US actions and statements are largely media-driven, aimed at keeping oil prices from falling and escaping the turmoil they have created. He added that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any new acts of aggression or miscalculation by the United States. The warning, issued during a ceasefire period, has heightened tensions across the Middle East, raising fears of renewed instability in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest proposals for renewed negotiations. Speaking on May 2, 2026, he said that mediators presented demands on behalf of Tehran that he found unacceptable. Trump stated that he was not pleased with the nature of the proposals put forward by Iran. He further alleged that Iran’s leadership is currently divided into three or four factions, which he suggested is complicating the negotiation process. According to Trump, these internal divisions within Tehran are contributing to the difficulties in reaching any agreement. The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not provide details of the specific proposals or the mediators involved, leaving the next steps in the negotiation process uncertain.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government is considering constructing a double rail line on the Dhaka-Sylhet route as part of a broader plan to enhance railway connectivity across Bangladesh. He explained that building new roads could lead to the loss of agricultural land, so the government is prioritizing rail expansion instead. The announcement was made on Saturday during a civic gathering organized by the Sylhet City Corporation. The Prime Minister also stated that the government has undertaken canal excavation programs to prevent waterlogging and ensure proper water management. These initiatives aim to reduce flooding during heavy rainfall and retain water during the dry season. The remarks highlight the administration’s focus on sustainable infrastructure development and environmental management. The proposed double rail line project, if implemented, is expected to improve transportation efficiency between Dhaka and Sylhet while minimizing environmental and agricultural impacts.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita announced her intention to bring major reforms to the aviation ministry, emphasizing honesty and ideals in fulfilling the trust placed in her by the Prime Minister. She made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing a free eye camp event held at the museum premises in West Bandutia, Manikganj Municipality. During her speech, the minister said that after 17 years, the country is experiencing the true spirit of independence under a democratic government, which allows people to express their views freely. She urged everyone to use this opportunity responsibly and not to forget the nation’s past, including the failures of the previous interim government. Later, she allocated three lakh taka for the development of the Manikganj Museum. The event was organized under the supervision of several local organizations, including the Manikganj Museum, Rahimunnesa-Enayet Foundation, Meher-Akiz Foundation, Manikganj Literary and Cultural Council, and Dhaka Lions Club, where hundreds of patients received free eye treatment and consultations.

Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense David Sedney has said that despite 60 days of war with Iran, the Trump administration has failed to achieve any of its stated objectives. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Sedney noted that the administration’s goal of regime change in Tehran has not materialized, as Iran’s leadership remains intact and is using the ceasefire to rebuild its military forces. Sedney argued that President Trump has lost the information battle, suggesting that accurate information is not a priority for him and that he often misleads the public. He added that even in defeat, Trump might still claim victory, leaving it to the American people to decide whether to believe the facts or Trump’s narrative. Beyond propaganda, Sedney emphasized that rising fuel prices could significantly influence the upcoming November midterm elections. He warned that if high petrol prices persist, Trump could face electoral defeat, as control over information and the oil market will ultimately determine the outcome of his Iran war strategy.

An unidentified 35-year-old man died after being beaten by locals who suspected him of attempting to steal a battery-run van in Shariatpur Sadar upazila’s Angaria Union on Friday morning. The injured man was taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital around noon, where doctors began treatment, but he died around 1 p.m. while under care. Police said they were alerted through the national emergency number and later recovered the man in critical condition. Authorities have not yet identified the deceased, as no national identity card was found on him. A Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) team collected fingerprints from the body but failed to confirm his identity. The body has been kept at the Shariatpur Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Local officials said the man was tied with a chain and beaten by an angry crowd after being caught during the alleged theft attempt. Police stated that efforts are ongoing to determine the man’s identity, and legal action will follow once it is confirmed.

An event marking May Day and International Workers’ Day was held in Dhaka, calling for the establishment of workers’ rights and a corruption-free administration to ensure sustainable national development. The discussion, organized by Citizens Against Corruption (CAC) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, gathered representatives from various professions under the theme “Workers’ Rights, End of Corruption: Transparent Campaign for a Prosperous Future.” Former secretary and ex-BTRC chairman Syed Margub Morshed stated that sustainable progress is impossible without worker-friendly policies and a corruption-free administration, emphasizing coordination and accountability among the state, employers, and workers. CAC chairman Yusuf Hossain highlighted that workers remain deprived of fair wages, safe workplaces, and social dignity, urging effective labor policy implementation. He also stressed the need for safety, healthcare, and social protection for workers in key sectors such as garments, construction, and transport. Economist Dr. Mostafizur Rahman described workers’ rights as both a moral duty and an economic necessity, while other speakers, including cultural and political figures, called for a social movement against corruption alongside labor rights protection.

A female police constable was found dead in her rented apartment in Kalapara, Patuakhali, early Saturday morning. Police recovered the body of Meherunnesa Urmi, 28, from a five-story building in Paschim Badurtali village under Tiakhali Union. Urmi was the wife of dismissed police member Mohibbur Rahman Bappi and served as a constable at Kalapara Police Station. According to police and local sources, the couple had frequent quarrels over family matters. Around 1:30 a.m., Bappi informed the police that his wife had allegedly taken her own life by hanging from a ceiling fan. Police later recovered the body at dawn. Kalapara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazrul Islam said that Urmi’s husband and two children were brought to the station for mental support, and an investigation is underway to uncover the cause of death. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident or the progress of the investigation.

Iran has reportedly informed Saudi Arabia and Oman that it plans to 'crush' the United Arab Emirates, according to a Middle East Eye report citing The Wall Street Journal. The plan is described as Tehran’s response to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. The report suggests the move aims to deepen divisions between Abu Dhabi and its Gulf neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia, amid long-standing regional tensions. The report notes that the UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC signaled growing friction with Saudi Arabia, rather than unity against Iran. Despite Saudi displeasure with Iran’s rhetoric, both countries have maintained dialogue. Iran’s warnings indicate awareness of rifts among Gulf monarchies, all of which are U.S. partners. The UAE has been the most vocal Gulf state against Iran, suffering extensive missile and drone attacks during the conflict. The war has strengthened the UAE-Israel partnership, with speculation that Abu Dhabi joined U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, Dubai’s tourism and finance sectors have been hit hard by the conflict, though the UAE continues to take a strong stance against Tehran.